"We can only give so much as we can afford," said Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim in response to the tirade by Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson M Manoharan over lack of help to the Indian community.

The DAP assemblyperson said yesterday said that the Selangor Pakatan goverment has marginalised the Indian community, despite their role in helping to wrest the state from BN.

khalid ibrahim on klang bas terminal 090109 01 "Some people's expectation are very high, especially Manoharan who fought hard, he was even detained under the ISA. The question is how to address (manage) these expectations," said Khalid ( right ).

"I would like to give all the development to the people of Selangor but the amount of money that we have does not commensurate wth our needs. This is the reality," he added.

This is why, he added, he fought very hard for the state to get more resources so that he can use it in the best way possible. "I am talking about RM1.3 billion, while the federal government has about RM200 billion," said Khalid.

Delicate balancing act

He said the state has not overlooked Manoharan's requests, but has thus far given as much as it could afford. "There is no point saying I can deliver but then incur debts to do it.

"It only means you deliver now, but suffer later on," he added. "It's like a delicate balancing act and I'm doing my best to address the expectations."

m manoharan However, Khalid told reporters that they may argue if he has made use of the RM1.3 billion in the best way possible. "That I'm willing to argue and explain to you that I have," he said.

When asked about Manoharan's ( left ) disappointment with him for not saying that Umno is the party behind the Cow-Head protest, Khalid said: "We must differentiate between the party and its members."

He said that while there may have been Umno members involved in the demonstration, there's no proof that the member were acting under orders from the Umno.

It would be incorrect, he added, to blame the whole party for the actions of some of its members.